The Girl in the Gym

Euphoria

When it was finally made ready, it looked like a clumsy pendant to be worn around the neck at all times.

"Think of it as your lifelines," said the scientist who had invented it. "This will be your last link to our people in case you are not able to set up a proper base, or if it destroyed perchance."

It had fin-like protuberances and could only be activated if pressed on a particular spot. This was what Inaya had been wearing around her neck, thinking of it as a fidget spinner.

When the team was finally ready, they were given space pods that would take them to earth, and a few that were sent in opposite directions as well in case there was more life to be found elsewhere.

Once the pods were sent to earth and reports of habitability came back, they started building a massive space station. It was designed to be built in such a manner that it could work as a satellite and monitor these astronauts on earth. Its purpose was to maintain a constant channel of communication with the home base as well as the team on earth. It could hold at the max fifteen people indefinitely and could reach the earth in less than a minute in case of an emergency. The space station was powered by a thousand-gigabyte drive and was the largest computer ever built. It could be refuelled and have rations delivered to it easily from Planet Zero.

"Testing various life support sub-systems is an ideal use of the space station," according to the Zerowians.

It would later serve as a midway holding place for humans sent up by Zeroans on Earth. These men came in close contact with humanity and were astonished by the simplest of things like a poem, or a wooden toy.

"We might be the most technologically advances species in the entire universe, but we don't know anything about appreciating life and beauty," they all thought. And as you know, they rose in prominence and became men of healing and mysterious powers. Not satisfied with sending dry facts and data from the earth, they proposed a wild scheme to the team leader in the space station.

"What do you think of the idea of inviting a few humans to Zero? We have availed the hospitality of their land, don't you think at least some deserving people should be given the opportunity to go to Zero?" Bhairo asked.

The leader said that he would take permission from the king before sanctioning such a huge request.

"Thank you, captain. But before you mention this to the king, make him listen to the file I just sent,"

"What does this contain?" asked the captain out of curiosity.

"You'll know soon enough," Bhairo send, mysteriously. "I am sure it will convince our king to grant this request."

It was a recording of a folk song from India.

The Zeroans were struck dumb. Never had they heard anything so beautiful and melodic. That was how a few of the most ardent devotees of Bharo were sent to Planet Zero. They were overwhelmed and euphoric when stepped onto that planet for the first time. They were treated like esteemed guests in exchange for playing music and composing poems and songs for the people.

Once a few years had passed, the king himself asked them whether they wished to return to their home. And they all shook their heads no. "With your permission O King, your land is divine. We would like to continue to live here as long as we are able to breathe," they pled. And thus sprang a very tiny colony of humans on Zero, intermingling and merging with the society. They changed the environment of Planet Zero with their contributions and were held in great regard until the end of their days.